Information processing apparatus display control method and program

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing apparatus including a display control unit that displays a list screen of thumbnails associated with content, an execution unit that executes any application using the content associated with the thumbnails, and an image generation unit that generates an execution state image showing an execution state of the application by the execution unit, wherein the display control unit displays the execution state image generated by the image generation unit in at least a portion of an area where the list screen is displayed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priorityfrom allowed U.S. application Ser. No. 13/463,502, filed May 3, 2012,which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/616,390, filed Nov.11, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,191,014, issued May 30, 2012, which claimsthe benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2008-302259, filed Nov. 27, 2008, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates an information processing apparatus, adisplay control method, and a program, and in particular, relates to aninformation processing apparatus capable of displaying a list ofthumbnails of a plurality of pieces of content, a display controlmethod, and a program.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, an increasing amount of content extending over variouscategories such as the photo, video, and music is managed by a generaluser as a result of a marked increase in storage capacity of aninformation processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) usedby the general user. The user activates an application suitable for eachpiece of content to display or process photos or reproduce video ormusic.

For example, the application described in “Sony ProductInformation|VAIO|Software|VAIO Navigation”, [online], [search on Oct.14, 2008], Internet <URL:http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/Solution/VAIOnavi/> classifiessoftware in accordance with the category of content and provides ascreen interface that can facilitate the selection of software toreproduce or edit content. On the screen interface, one of thecategories of content such as the photo, video, and music is firstselected by the user. Then, software corresponding to the selectedcategory and a description of the software are displayed on the screeninterface. The user reads and examines the description of the displayedsoftware to select software fitting the user's purpose. Then, aninformation processing apparatus activates the software selected by theuser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, if there are many pieces of software installed on a PC, it isdifficult for the user to search for intended software without readingthe display of description of individual software one by one. Thus, itis difficult for the user to easily understand the function that can berealized by each application.

The present invention has been made in view of the above issue and it isdesirable to provide a novel and improved information processingapparatus that enables the user to easily understand the functionrealizable by an application, a display control method, and a program.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is providedan information processing apparatus including a display control unitthat displays a list screen of thumbnails associated with content, anexecution unit that executes any application using the contentassociated with the thumbnails, and an image generation unit thatgenerates an execution state image showing an execution state of theapplication by the execution unit. The display control unit displays theexecution state image generated by the image generation unit in at leasta portion of an area where the list screen is displayed.

The execution state image generated by the image generation unit is animage that reproduces a function of the application in a pseudo manner.

According to the above configuration, the display control unit displaysthe list screen of thumbnails associated with content, and the executionunit executes any application using content associated with thethumbnails. The image generation unit generates an execution state imageshowing an execution state of the application, and the display controlunit displays the generated execution state image in at least a portionof the area where the list screen is displayed.

Accordingly, the function realizable by any application can bereproduced in a pseudo manner by using content associated with listedthumbnails. That is, the user can be caused to recognize details of anyapplication or how to use the application by reproducing an executionstate of the application. Here, the display to cause the user torecognize details of the application or how to use the application isalso called a promotion display below. Due to the promotion displayconcerning any application, the user can easily understand the functionrealizable by the application or details of a service without reading amanual or instruction manual for each application.

The application executed by the execution unit may use contentassociated with the thumbnails in the area where the execution stateimage is displayed.

The application executed by the execution unit may use contentassociated with the thumbnails around the area where the execution stateimage is displayed.

The application executed by the execution unit may have a function basedon a category of content associated with the thumbnails.

The application executed by the execution unit may be an applicationhaving a function in accordance with details of content associated withthe thumbnails.

The application executed by the execution unit may use photo contentassociated with, among the thumbnails displayed in the list screen, thethumbnails containing a face area.

The application executed by the execution unit may use contentassociated with, among the thumbnails displayed in the list screen, apredetermined number of the thumbnails.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an information processing apparatus including a display controlunit that lists a plurality of images associated with content in apredetermined display area, an execution unit that executes anyapplication using the content associated with the images, and areproducing unit that reproduces an execution state of the applicationby the execution unit. The reproducing unit reproduces the executionstate of the application using at least a portion of the predetermineddisplay area.

The reproducing unit may reproduce dynamic image reproduction processingusing image content or video content associated with the images.

The reproducing unit may reproduce music reproduction processing usingmusic content associated with the images.

The reproducing unit may reproduce the execution state of theapplication using content associated with the images that were displayedin the display area to reproduce the execution state of the application.

The reproducing unit may reproduce the execution state of theapplication using at least a portion of the predetermined display areaby causing the execution unit to execute the application.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a display control method including the steps of displaying alist screen of thumbnails associated with content, executing anyapplication using the content associated with the thumbnails, generatingan execution state image showing an execution state of the application,and displaying the generated execution state image in at least a portionof an area where the list screen is displayed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a program causing a computer to function as an informationprocessing apparatus including a display control unit that displays alist screen of thumbnails associated with content, an execution unitthat executes any application using the content associated with thethumbnails, and an image generation unit that generates an executionstate image showing an execution state of the application by theexecution unit. The display control unit displays the execution stateimage generated by the image generation unit in at least a portion of anarea where the list screen is displayed.

According to the present invention, as described above, the user caneasily understand the function realizable by any application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating a screen example of a listscreen displayed by a display control unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating an execution state imagedisplayed in the list screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating an execution state imagedisplayed in the list screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating an execution state imagedisplayed in the list screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating an execution state imagedisplayed in the list screen according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the flow of display control processing inthe information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elementsthat have substantially the same function and structure are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

A “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT” will be described in the ordershown below:

[1] Purpose of the embodiment

[2] Hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus

[3] Functional configuration of the information processing apparatus

[4] Flow of display control processing

[1] Purpose of the Embodiment

First, the purpose of the embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. In recent years, an increasing amount of content extendingover various categories such as the photo, video, and music is managedby a general user as a result of a marked increase in storage capacityof an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer)used by the general user. The user activates an application suitable foreach piece of content to display or process photos or reproduce video ormusic.

For example, an application that classifies software in accordance withthe category of content and provides a screen interface that canfacilitate the selection of software to reproduce or edit content isknown. On the screen interface, one of the categories such as the photo,video, and music is first selected by the user. Then, softwarecorresponding to the selected category and a description of the softwareare displayed on the screen interface. The user reads and examines thedescription of the displayed software to select software fitting theuser's purpose. Then, an information processing apparatus activates thesoftware selected by the user.

However, regarding the function of an application installed on the PC,it is difficult for the user to understand features thereof withoutreading an explanation of an electronic manual or instruction manualthereof. Particularly when there are many pieces of software on the PC,it is difficult to search for intended software without reading thedisplay of description of individual software one by one. Thus, it isdifficult for the user to easily understand the function realizable byeach application.

Thus, with the above situation being focused on, an informationprocessing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention has been developed. According to the information processingapparatus 100 in the present embodiment, the user can easily understandthe function realizable by an application. More specifically, thefunction realizable by any application can be reproduced in a pseudomanner by using content associated with listed thumbnails. That is, adisplay (promotion display) that causes the user to recognize details ofany application or how to use the application can be made by reproducingan execution state of the application. Due to the promotion displayconcerning any application, the user can easily understand the functionrealizable by the application or details of a service without reading amanual or instruction manual for each application.

In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 thatcan list thumbnails of content is configured as an apparatus integratedwith a display device such as LCD, but the present embodiment is notlimited by such an example. For example, the information processingapparatus may be configured separately from a display device. Theinformation processing apparatus 100 may be a general-purpose computersuch as a PC or workstation, but is not limited by such an example. Theinformation processing apparatus 100 may be, for example, a consumerdevice such as a video/music reproducer and TV set or a mobile devicesuch as a mobile phone terminal and digital camera.

[2] Hardware Configuration of the Information Processing Apparatus

Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus100 according to the present embodiment will be described based onFIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration ofthe information processing apparatus 100 according to the presentembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 includes aCPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM(Random Access Memory) 103, a host bus 104, a bridge 105, an externalbus 106, an interface 107, an input device 108, an output device 109, astorage device (HDD) 110, a drive 111, and a communication device 113.

The CPU 101 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a controlunit and controls general operations inside the information processingapparatus 100 according to various programs. The CPU 101 may be amicroprocessor. The ROM 102 stores programs and arithmetic parametersused by the CPU 101. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs used forexecution of the CPU 101 and parameters that appropriately change duringexecution thereof. These units are mutually connected via the host bus104 configured of a CPU bus or the like.

The host bus 104 is connected to the external bus 106 such as a PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus via the bridge 105.Incidentally, the host bus 104, the bridge 105, and the external bus 106may not be configured separately and these functions may be implementedin one bus.

The input device 108 is configured of an input means used by the user toinput information such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, button,microphone, switch, and lever, an input control circuit that generatesan input signal based on input by the user and outputs the input signalto the CPU 101 and the like. The user of the information processingapparatus 100 can input various kinds of data into or provide processingoperations to the information processing apparatus 100 by operating theinput device 108.

The output device 109 is configured of, for example, a display devicesuch as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, liquid crystal display(LCD) device, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) device, and lamp andan audio output device such as a speaker and headphone. The outputdevice 109 outputs, for example, reproduced content. More specifically,the display device displays various kinds of information such asreproduced video data as text or images. The audio output device, on theother hand, converts reproduced audio data and the like into sound foroutput.

The storage device 110 is a data storage device configured as an exampleof storage unit of the information processing apparatus 100 according tothe present embodiment. The storage device 110 may include a storagemedium, a recording device to record data in the storage medium, areading device to read data from the storage medium, or a deletiondevice to delete data recorded in the storage medium. The storage device110 is configured of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storagedevice 110 drives the hard disk and stores programs executed by the CPU101 and various kinds of data. The storage device 110 also has contentdata, metadata, and device data recorded therein.

The drive 111 is a reader/writer for storage medium and is added to theinformation processing apparatus 100 internally or externally. The drive111 reads information recorded on an inserted removable storage medium120 such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, andsemiconductor memory and outputs the information to the RAM 103.

The communication device 113 is a communication interface configured ofa communication device and the like to connect to a communicationnetwork 121. The communication device 113 may be a wireless LAN (LocalArea Network) compliant communication device, wireless USB compliantcommunication device, or wire communication device that performscommunication by wire. The communication device 113 transmits/receivesvarious kinds of data to/from external devices via the communicationnetwork 121.

[3] Functional Configuration of the Information Processing Apparatus

In the foregoing, the hardware configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 1. Next, the function of theinformation processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 100 according to the presentembodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100according to the present embodiment includes a display control unit 152,an execution unit 154, an image generation unit 156, a content storageunit 158, and a data storage unit 162.

The content storage unit 158 is configured of, for example, a storagedevice such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and semiconductor memory andstores content data of various categories such as the photo, music, andvideo. Here, the category represents the type of each piece of contentsuch as the photo, music, and video. Content data stored in the contentstorage unit 158 may be registered in a metadata storage unit (notshown) in units of files or folders containing a plurality of files.Accordingly, metadata of each piece of content is held, for example, inthe metadata storage unit and metadata can be generated by analyzingcontent data.

The display control unit 152 has a function to display a list screen ofthumbnails associated with content. More specifically, a list screen ofthumbnails associated with each piece of content is presented to theuser via a display screen 160 to allow the user to view details ofcontent of various categories stored in the content storage unit 158.

If, for example, the screen size of the list screen displayed in thescreen of the display device is limited, content useful for the user ofa large amount of content stored in the content storage unit 158 maypreferentially be displayed. That is, the number of pieces of content tobe displayed for each category may be decided based on the upper limitof the display number in accordance with the screen size of the listscreen presented to the user and the display ratio of each category ofcontent. Then, content whose thumbnail to be displayed in the listscreen may be selected in accordance with the content display number andmetadata of content.

Here, the list screen presented to the user via the display screen 160by the display control unit 152 will be described with reference to FIG.3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating a screen example of thelist screen displayed by the display control unit 152. As shown in FIG.3, a list screen 402 includes a thumbnail display area 403 and a textinformation display area 407.

In the present embodiment, the thumbnail display area 403 can display atotal of 40 thumbnails, five thumbnails vertically and eight thumbnailshorizontally, but the present embodiment is not limited to such anexample. Thumbnails contained in the list screen 402 include, forexample, a thumbnail 404 of video content, a thumbnail 405 of photocontent, and a thumbnail 406 of music content.

In the text information display area 407, a message to instruct orintroduce input or the selection by the user is displayed. For example,a message to instruct the user to click any one thumbnail of content inthe list screen 402 may be displayed. When the cursor is placed on oneof thumbnails of content, the category of the content concerned may bedisplayed.

The description of the function of the display control unit 152 willcontinue by returning to FIG. 2. The display control unit 152 has afunction to display an execution state image showing the execution stateof an application generated by the image generation unit 156 describedlater in at least a portion of the area where the list screen ofthumbnails is displayed. The display control unit 152 may display adisplay area containing the execution state image periodically in thelist screen 402 or randomly at any position in the list screen 402.

The execution unit 154 has a function to execute any application usingcontent associated with thumbnails. An application executed by theexecution unit 154 has a function based on the category of contentdisplayed in the list screen 402. That is, if the content is photocontent, the application has a function to display photos or to processphotos. If the content is video content, the application has a functionto reproduce video or to edit video.

An application executed by the execution unit 154 is an applicationhaving a function in accordance with details of content. If, forexample, the content is music content, one channel among music channelscontained as metadata of music content is selected and a reproducibleapplication is executed. The music channel will be described in detaillater.

The image generation unit 156 has a function to generate an executionstate image showing the execution state of an application by theexecution unit 154. The image generation unit 156 provides the generatedexecution state image to the display control unit 152. As describedabove, the display control unit 152 displays the execution state imageprovided by the image generation unit 156 in a portion of the listscreen of content of the display screen 160. The execution state imageis, as described above, an image that reproduces the function of anapplication in a pseudo manner.

It is assumed, for example, that an application executed by theexecution unit 154 is an application that generates dynamic images byswitching and reproducing a plurality of pieces of image content inpredetermined timing. In this case, the execution state image generatedby the image generation unit 156 will be dynamic images reproduced by aplurality of pieces of image content being switched in predeterminedtiming. Thus, with dynamic images generated by the image generation unit156 being displayed in a portion of the display area, the user can checkhow a plurality of pieces of image content is displayed, how theplurality of pieces of image content is processed and the like. That is,based on displayed dynamic images, the user checks the display(promotion display) that causes the user to recognize details of theapplication and how to use the application.

Alternatively, it is assumed, for example, that an application executedby the execution unit 154 is an application that generates dynamicimages by switching and reproducing a plurality of pieces of videocontent in predetermined timing. In this case, the execution state imagegenerated by the image generation unit 156 will be dynamic imagesreproduced by a plurality of pieces of video content being switched inpredetermined timing. Alternatively, it is assumed, for example, that anapplication executed by the execution unit 154 is an application thatgenerates dynamic images by switching and reproducing a plurality ofpieces of image content and video content in predetermined timing. Inthis case, the execution state image generated by the image generationunit 156 will be dynamic images reproduced by a plurality of pieces ofimage content and video content being switched in predetermined timing.

Alternatively, it is assumed, for example, that an application executedby the execution unit 154 is an application that performs musicreproduction processing by reproducing music content and image content(video content) together. In this case, the execution state imagegenerated by the image generation unit 156 will reproduce music and alsoreproduce the image content (video content).

In this manner, the image generation unit 156 can reproduce execution ofvarious applications in a portion of the display area of the displayscreen 160. The user can check how a plurality of still images ordynamic images is reproduced by an application by visually confirming anexecution state image reproduced by the image generation unit 156.

When a plurality of applications is installed on a PC or the like, thepromotion display of each application may successively be made. Asdescribed above, what kind of dynamic images is generated using theplurality of still images or dynamic images is different fromapplication to application. Therefore, the user can check details ofeach application and how to use the application only by visuallyconfirming the promotion display of each application successivelydisplayed in the display screen 160.

The display control unit 152 may list a plurality of images associatedwith content in a predetermined display area of the display screen 160so that the execution unit 154 executes any application using contentassociated with listed images. Then, a reproducing unit (not shown)reproduces the execution state of an application by the execution unit154. The aforementioned display control unit 152 and image generationunit 156 are examples of the reproducing unit. The reproducing unitreproduces the execution state of an application by using at least aportion of the predetermined display area of the display screen 160.

The reproducing unit also reproduces dynamic image reproductionprocessing using image content or video content associated with listedimages. The reproducing unit may reproduce dynamic image reproductionprocessing in which a plurality of pieces of image content uses videocontent. Further, the reproducing unit may reproduce music reproductionprocessing using music content associated with listed images.

Further, the reproducing unit may reproduce the execution state of anapplication by using content associated with images that were displayedin the display area to reproduce the execution state of an application.The reproducing unit may also reproduce the execution state of anapplication using at least a portion of the predetermined display areaof the display screen 160 by causing the execution unit to execute theapplication.

Thus, the execution state of an application is reproduced by thereproducing unit so that the promotion display of each application canbe made. That is, the execution state of an application is reproduced bythe reproducing unit without the application actually being executed sothat dynamic images just like those when the application is executed canbe generated. Therefore, the user can check details of each applicationand how to use the application only by visually confirming the promotiondisplay of each application.

Here, execution state images displayed in the list screen 402 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatoryviews illustrating execution state images generated by an imagegeneration application. The image generation application exemplifiedhere has a function to easily create a short movie like a movieproduction using materials of, for example, video and still images. Acase in which the execution state of an application is reproduced by theabove reproducing unit will be described below. That is, promotionimages reproducing the execution state of an application are generatedby content associated with listed images being used by the reproducingunit.

First, content used by an image generation application when the imagegeneration application is executed by the reproducing unit will bedescribed. A case in which a display area 414 of a list screen 410 inFIG. 4 is used as a display area where an execution state image isdisplayed will be described. In this case, the application may beexecuted using any one piece of content displayed in the display area414 or any one piece of content displayed around the display area 414.

A case when, for example, the reproducing unit executes the imagegeneration application using any one piece of content displayed in thedisplay area 414 will be described. The reproducing unit firstdetermines whether the display area 414 contains photo content (photo1,photo2) or private video content (video) imaged by the user. Then, thereproducing unit acquires any number of photos or of pieces of privatevideo whose shooting date is near that of the photos or private videofrom the content storage unit 158. In the present embodiment, forexample, 12 pieces of content are acquired from the content storage unit158, but the present embodiment is not limited to such an example.

After acquiring 12 pieces of content from the content storage unit 158,the reproducing unit reproduces the content by switching the content inpredetermined timing. By using a template file described later, thereproducing unit can reconstruct reproduction of a short movie like amovie production using materials of video and still images realized bythe application in a portion of the display area of the display screen160.

Content acquired by the reproducing unit from the content storage unit158 is acquired using the shooting date as a reference, but the presentembodiment is not limited to such an example. For example, only photoscontaining the face of a person may be acquired or only image content(photo) or video content (private video) containing a smiling face of aperson may be acquired. Alternatively, only image content (photo) orvideo content (private video) containing the face of the same person maybe acquired using the face recognition function. Further, only imagecontent (photo) or video content (private video) containing only adultsor children may be acquired.

Alternatively, only photos or private video according to user'spreferences may be acquired by storing data obtained by analyzing user'spreferences in the data storage unit 162. If photo content is acquiredusing the shooting date as a reference as described above, but it isdifficult to acquire as many pieces of photo content as necessary, therest of photo content may be acquired according to user's preferences.

Content is acquired by the reproducing unit according to the abovemethod and then, an execution state image is generated. Then, as shownin FIG. 5, the execution state image showing the execution state of theimage generation application is displayed in a display area 415. Thatis, not only photo content, but also an image that reproduces thefunction of the image generation application in a pseudo manner isdisplayed in the display area 415.

If, for example, only image content containing a smiling face of aperson is acquired by the reproducing unit, dynamic images consisting ofonly image content containing a smiling face of a person are displayedin the display area 415. If video content containing only children isacquired by the reproducing unit, dynamic images consisting of onlyvideo content containing only children are displayed in the display area415.

If neither photo content nor private video is present in the displayarea 414 in FIG. 4, up to 12 pieces of photo content may be acquired bythe procedure below:

(1) Acquire the latest 12 pieces from photo content held as old photosin the content storage unit 158.

(2) If the number of old photos is less than the necessary number of 12in (1), acquire as many pieces as necessary randomly from all photocontents held in the content storage unit 158.

(3) If one piece of photo content or more can be acquired in (2), useonly acquired photo content.

(4) If no piece of photo content is acquired in (3), images using photocontent are not generated and instead, sample images preserved by theimage generation application in advance are displayed.

If the image generation application to be reproduced has a plurality oftemplate files for image generation, the reproducing unit randomlyselects one template file from the plurality of template files. Here,the template file is a file in which BGM (BackGround Music), twomaterial frames or more, one effect (effect frame) or more, and onetransition (transition frame) or more are predefined in accordance withthe time code, which is the reproduction time from the start.

BGM is music set in keeping with the theme of the template file and isplayed when images are displayed (reproduced). The material frame is abox (container) into which a file of image content or video content asan image material is inserted and is arranged by fitting to points wherethe tempo of BGM changes or the like. Whether to insert image content orvideo content into the material frame is predefined as metadatadescribed later and effects to zoom a material frame into which imagecontent is to be inserted, change the color of image to sepia and thelike are defined appropriately. Effects are similarly defined for video.

Also, transitions defining the transition method of images when (animage of) the material frame before switching to (an image of) thematerial frame after switching such as the fade-in, fade-out, andappearing from the left of the screen and disappearing to the right ofthe screen are arranged by fitting to timing of switching from (an imageof) the predetermined material frame to (an image of) the next materialframe defined in a template file. Also, effects and transitions that arein keeping with the theme and taste of the template file are adopted.

The reproducing unit specifies one of the above template files to createan execution state image. More specifically, the reproducing unitdetects a file of still images or video that matches a material framefrom the content storage unit 158. Then, generation of dynamic imagesthat are a sequence of images in keeping with the theme held by thetemplate file and to which effective staging by BGM, effects,transitions and the like is added is performed. Then, dynamic imagesthat show the execution state of the application by the execution unit154 and to which effective staging by BGM, effects, transitions and thelike is added are generated and displayed in the display area 415 inFIG. 6.

Next, a case in which a music reproduction application is executed bythe reproducing unit will be described. A case in which the display area414 of the list screen 410 in FIG. 4 is defined as a display area wherean execution state image is displayed will be described. In this case,the reproducing unit may execute the application using any one piece ofcontent displayed in the display area 414 or any one piece of contentdisplayed around the display area 414.

For example, when the reproducing unit executes the music reproductionapplication using any one piece of content displayed in the display area414, the reproducing unit first determines whether the display area 414contains music content (music). Then, the reproducing unit uses musiccontent found first as a reference and acquires metadata obtained byperforming twelve-tone analysis on the music content.

The reproducing unit selects one music channel from among music channelsin which acquired metadata is contained and performs reproduction of themusic channel. If a plurality of pieces of music content is contained inthe display area 414, the music channel may be selected randomly.

The above music channel is a channel classified according to music genreor mood. For example, channels classified according to “feeling” such asa channel that reproduces recommended music by time zone, a channel thatreproduces lively and cheerful music, a channel that reproduces soft andmelancholic music, and a channel that reproduces music with a catchyrhythm can be exemplified. Also, channels classified according to“features of music” such as a channel that reproduces classical music, achannel that reproduces hard rock music, and a channel that reproducesballade music are known.

A music channel of mood fitting to a time when the list screen 402 isdisplayed may be selected. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, imagessuch as animation video representing the mood of the selected musicchannel may be displayed in a display area 422 for a fixed time.

The reproducing unit executing the music reproduction application maydetect catchy part in the music content to reproduce music for a fixedtime from the catchy part. If, for example, music is reproduced forabout one minute after catchy part and reproduction of music contentends before about one minute passes, reproduction may start from catchypart of other music content contained in the channel.

If a plurality of music channels is present, as shown in FIG. 7, thereproducing unit may display nine randomly selected channels at the endof the above animation video in a display area 432. For example,reproduction of the music reproduction application ends by generating3×3 grids in 2×2 panel frames of thumbnails of content to display musicchannels for a fixed number of seconds. Accordingly, the user can bemade to know the presence of the music channels executed by the musicreproduction application.

Next, an appearance method of an execution state image displayed in thelist screen 402 will be described. For example, after the list screen402 is displayed, the reproducing unit specifies the display area wherean execution state image is displayed by the image generationapplication or the music reproduction application after 14 seconds pass.The reproducing unit may randomly specify display areas where anexecution state image is displayed, instead of one location of thedisplay area. If the reproducing unit randomly specifies display areas,the reproducing unit determines the order of displaying an executionstate image.

Then, the reproducing unit displays an execution state image generatedby the image generation unit 156 in specified display areas in thedecided order. Then, after displaying the execution state image for apredetermined time, the display may be switched to the list screen 402again. As described above, an execution state image may be generatedaccording to the template held by each application. In this case, afterthe display of an execution state image according to one template ends,the display may be switched to the list screen 402 again.

After being switched to the display of the list screen 402, theexecution state image may be displayed in the predetermined display areaagain. In the foregoing, the functional configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 100 has been described. In execution of the aboveimage generation application or music reproduction application, a casein which dynamic images and the like are generated by the reproducingunit without actually executing the above application has beendescribed. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such anexample and an actual application (API (Application Program Interface))can be caused to execute to generate the above promotion image.

[4] Flow of Display Control Processing

Next, display control processing in the information processing apparatus100 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flow chartshowing the flow of display control processing in the informationprocessing apparatus 100.

As shown in FIG. 8, the display control unit 152 first displays a listscreen of thumbnails associated with content via the display screen 160(S102). Next, the execution unit 154 specifies display areas of anexecution state image in the list screen 402 (S104).

Then, from among display areas determined at step S104, content used byan application executed by the execution unit 154 is selected (S106). Inaddition, content other than the selected content is acquired from thecontent storage unit 158.

Then, the execution unit 154 executes any application using the contentselected at step S106 (S108). Then, the image generation unit 156generates an execution state image showing the execution state of theapplication executed at step S108 (S110).

Then, the display control unit 152 displays the execution state imagegenerated at step S110 in at least a portion of the area where the listscreen 402 is displayed (S112). In the foregoing, the display controlmethod of the information processing apparatus 100 has been described.

According to the information processing apparatus 100 in the presentembodiment, the list screen 402 of thumbnails associated with content isdisplayed in the display screen 160. The execution unit 154 executes anyapplication using content associated with thumbnails and an executionstate image showing an execution state of the application is generated.The generated execution state image is displayed in at least a portionof the area where the list screen 402 is displayed.

Accordingly, the function that can be realized by an applicationinstalled on a PC or the like by using content can be reproduced in apseudo manner. Therefore, the user can easily understand the functionrealizable by an application without reading a manual or instructionmanual of each application.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

In the above embodiment, for example, the application executed by theexecution unit 154 is an image generation application or musicreproduction application, but the present embodiment is not limited tosuch an example. For example, the application may be a video generationapplication that uses video content or content of TV programs.Alternatively, the application may be an application that adds anycharacter subtitle to image content.

The present application contains subject matter related to thatdisclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2008-302259 filedin the Japan Patent Office on 27 Nov. 2008, the entire content of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: processing circuitry configured to display a list screen of images associated with different applications, execute an application in response to an indication of selection of one of the images by a user, and generate a promotion display associated with the application in at least a portion of an area where the images are displayed, wherein the promotion display comprises information that aids a user in understanding the function realizable by an application.
 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the promotion display is an image that reproduces a content operated by the application.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the content includes at least one of a still image, a dynamic image, music, and text.
 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the promotion display is an image that reproduces execution of various applications having different functions.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the promotion display corresponds to dynamic images reproduced by a plurality of pieces of image content.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the promotion display corresponds to a preview of the application.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the promotion display displays details of the application.
 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the promotion display includes latest available content corresponding to the application.
 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to display a message prompting the user for an input.
 10. A method comprising: displaying a list screen of images associated with different applications; executing an application in response to an indication of selection of one of the images by a user; and generating a promotion display associated with the application in at least a portion of an area where the images are displayed, wherein the promotion display comprises information that aids a user in understanding the function realizable by an application.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method, the method comprising: displaying a list screen of images associated with different applications; executing an application in response to an indication of selection of one of the images by a user; and generating a promotion display associated with the application in at least a portion of an area where the images are displayed, wherein the promotion display comprises information that aids a user in understanding the function realizable by an application.
 12. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a display; an input device; and processing circuitry configured to display, on the display, a list screen of images associated with different applications, execute an application in response to an indication of selection of one of the images by a user via the input device, and generate a promotion display associated with the application in at least a portion of an area where the images are displayed, wherein the promotion display comprises information that aids a user in understanding the function realizable by an application.
 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to display, on the display, a message prompting the user for an input.
 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a speaker, wherein the promotion display is an image that reproduces a content operated by the application, the content includes at least one of a still image, a dynamic image, audio, and text, and the speaker is configured to output the audio in response to the content including the audio.
 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the input device includes one of a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse, and the processing circuitry is configured to execute the application associated with the images of the images, in response to the image being designated by the user via the one of the touch panel, the keyboard, and the mouse.
 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a memory configured to store the images; and a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device via a communication network, wherein the display corresponds to one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED).
 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different categories of content include music and video.
 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the promotion display corresponds to a preview of the application.
 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the promotion display displays details of the application. 